On June 13, 1990, a Beech D95A (registration N744GP) operated by GP Industries Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Mayaguez, PR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The left main landing gear failed due to overload. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a landing on runway 9 with gusty crosswinds, the left main landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer left and exit the runway. Witnesses reported misalignment at touchdown. The right main gear later collapsed after striking a dirt mound.
Incident Summary
The pilot reported that during a landing on runway 9 with a wind from the south at 16 knots, gusting to 22 knots, the left main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft subsequently veered to the left and came to rest off the runway surface.
Witness Accounts
According to an FAA inspector, several witnesses stated that the longitudinal axis of the aircraft was not aligned with the runway at the moment of touchdown. After the aircraft traveled off the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed after colliding with a mound of dirt.
Examination Findings
Examination of the left main landing gear revealed that it failed due to overload.
Probable cause
The left main landing gear failed due to overload.